Tyrone and Aire had left the house by the time Raine left to visit her Aunty. He drove Aire towards the forest as she requested.
"I thought you're going to buy presents?" Tyrone asked as he suspiciously sneaked glances at Aire inside the car.
"Hmm, yeah… For everybody, except my gift for Mommy…" Aire commented with a grin.
In less than two hours, they had arrived at the boundary of a remote forest. There was a sign saying not to cross the wall due to the dangerous and wild animals within the forest.
"Wait here, Daddy. I'll be back quick," Aire commented as she got out of the car.
Tyrone only nodded, wondering at what Aire planned to do. He sighed as he saw how Aire quickly crossed the border in her wolf form.
"What present will she even get inside the forest?" Tyrone whispered as he waited. As he waited, he couldn't help but ponder on so many things. Primarily, his thoughts landed with so much about Raine that he just ended up sighing in the car multiple times.
This week would be crucial. He assumed that Xander would manage to see through things soon and file for a Mirage Trial. Soon enough, this would all be over and he had to decide on his final steps…
Another frustrated sigh came out when the door suddenly swung open and a wolf entered from the back. Aire then quickly went back inside and sat on the passenger seat.
"That's Draki, Daddy… My gift to Mommy before I leave," Aire commented, introducing the male wolf she got to stay with Raine and protect her with all its might. Aire chose the strongest, the alpha wolf inside the forest to brand as a pet for her mother, Raine.
"You're leaving?" Tyrone questioned.
Aire let off a sad smile, "You know I have to leave, Daddy."
Tyrone couldn't say a word. He already had an idea of who Aire really was.
"Draki is your wolf's name, so why would you name this one Draki?" Tyrone muttered.
"It's so that you and Mommy will remember me whenever you guys miss me," Aire commented with a wink. "Let's go, Daddy. We're done here. I'm sure you're already dying to be with Mommy right now."
Tyrone shook his head at Aire's giggles as she teased him. He, too, chuckled, "How come you wanted me to accompany you for this? This only means that I won't get a present, right?"
"You'll get a present too, Daddy. Don't worry," Aire giggled.
Tyrone drove the car back onto the road. Aire had wanted to go to the mall next, so they did, leaving Draki inside the opened car. They walked hand in hand inside the mall, Tyrone having fun assisting Aire in buying stuff, including paying for them.
"Let's rest for a while and grab some ice cream," Aire suggested as she pulled Tyrone inside an ice cream shop.
"You shouldn't be overeating on sweets like your mother," Tyrone scolded as their order came to the table. Aire only wrinkled her nose at him.
"Do you know why Mommy loves lollipops and all sweet things in general?" Aire asked. Tyrone didn't respond. "It's because she got a taste of how sweet life could be the first time she saved a living being from dying. She saved Nathaniel's life when they were kids, and Nathaniel gifted her a lollipop, showing her his gratitude… You shoul-"
"Stop, Aire. You shouldn't say such things in here, or you will be punished," Tyrone reminded, cutting Aire off from saying more words.
Aire only had a broad smile as she said, "I always knew you, of all people, would figure things out this soon. Now, as your present, I'll tell you where to find the Voyager's watch and the Exordium's list, Daddy…"
Aire had just confirmed Tyrone's hunch. Worry crept into his face as he whispered, "You shouldn't stay long here…"
"I won't. I'll be leaving soon after I send Draki to Mommy," Aire commented.
"How is she there anyway?" Tyrone couldn't help but ask.
"Don't worry, Daddy... You'll just need to work hard. Nevertheless, everything will turn out fine in the end. Me being here is just proof of that, don't you think?" Aire humorously answered.
Tyrone didn't ask any more questions. He knew the rules. Using the Voyager's watch was dangerous, and there could be significant consequences upon doing so.
"You're such a stubborn little girl like your mother," Tyrone murmured with a sigh.
Aire chuckled, "And you love her despite that. Father… aren't you curious about the real reason why I'm here?"
"Will you tell me if I asked?"
"Of course." Aire shrugged. "There's no harm in telling it to you honestly, since it won't cause any alterations…"
"And why are you risking your life in being here?" Tyrone asked with a frown. Aire could tell that he was stopping himself from scolding her hard.
Aire had an awkward smile as she murmured, "I want to mark him…"
"Mark? Who?!" Tyrone burst in disbelief. A young girl wanted to mark a man?! Who the hell was that man!!!
Aire blushed as she continued, "My mate…"
"You're mate?! For goodness sake, Aire! How old are you?!" Tyrone couldn't help but ask, barely keeping his calm at the moment.
"Technically, I'm already twelve, Daddy. I just look younger…" Aire murmured. Stella, the little girl whose identity she used, was just eight years old.
"Who is it?!"
Aire giggled. With a blush, she murmured, "He's from the Convel Society…"
"What?!"
Aire only chuckled as she continued, "Keep your voice down, Daddy. We can talk more about it later. Not here while in a public space…"
"So you're saying that he's a pure-blood werewolf?"
Aire nodded.
"You're too young to be thinking like this, Aire! How could you risk yourself coming here just to mark a man?! This is unacceptable! Go back now!" Tyrone scolded.
He couldn't believe what he was hearing. He wanted to tear that werewolf apart, whoever he was for bewitching Aire like this.
Aire shook her head. Understandably, she suddenly regretted ever telling her Daddy the real purpose of her presence.
She had a pout when she harrumphed, "I'm going back soon. Don't get mad, okay.. I'll be gone before you even know it. Hmph!"